Former Nigeria international Celestine Babayaro has criticised the exclusion of hot in demand KAS Eupen forward Henry Onyekuru from the list of players invited to the senior national team of Nigeria by coach Gernot Rohr.

Rohr called up 22 players to the senior national team of Nigeria for a training camp in France, and a friendly game against Corsica will also take place ahead of their clash against South Africa next month.

Onyekuru has scored 20 goals this season in all competitions for modest Belgian side Eupen, and Babayaro belives the forward who is linked with a big move this season should have been called up.

” When you talk about rewarding players for their performances in the season, no best way to do that than a national team call up. Why is the case of Onyekuru different?, Babayaro asked.
” He (Onyekuru) has 20 goals this season, and we’ll sought after by top clubs, his presence will provide the much talked about competition for places in the team. Obviously his presence alone will ginger other established forwards in the team to step up.

” With all due respect, the likes of Stephen Odey and Victor Osimhen are good but no match for the senior players in the team like Kelechi Iheanacho, Isaac Success and co. But Onyekuru will no doubt push them for a spot.

” I’m hoping he will be considered ‎for the game against South Africa, he has that in him which could make him the joker in our team”, the former Chelsea star told Owngoalnigeria.com